Review MSI CX61 Notebook

MSI didn't develop an entirely new chassis but utilizes a slightly modified version of the barebone chassis used for the GE60 (MS-16GA) instead. Most of the differences are visual in nature: the gray-black paint of the CX61 is not quite as shiny and imitates a polished aluminum surface. Just like the metal-looking decorative strips, it's only simple plastic underneath.

Including the battery, the notebook weighs in at 2.4 kilograms (5.29 pounds), which is comparatively light. Of course this is no Ultrabook - and the thickness of almost 3.8 centimeters (1.50 inches) shows that clearly. The dimensions and weight certainly make it possible to tote the laptop around occasionally, although we think the CX61 works better as a stationary system.

We already noted a lack of sturdiness in previous reviews - and unfortunately nothing has changed. Both the base unit and the display are torsionally not very rigid and frequently complain with creaking sounds when subjected to physical force. Vibrations - like the ones occurring when riding a train - cause the display lid to bounce back and forth, since the hinges are stiff but exhibit a bit too much play.

A closer look reveals that the workmanship also could be better: not all seams align properly and sharp edges are the result. Other areas have gaps which can be closed when applying pressure with the fingers. Of course one has to consider the price bracket - and truthfully: none of the observed flaws really impact daily use. Similarly priced laptops - like the competitor Lenovo IdeaPad Z580 - feature better build quality.

Since the display is of the glossy-type (reflective) variety, outdoor use is limited. Under unfavorable conditions (like direct sunlight at a 90 degree angle), it's next to impossible to decipher anything on the screen. Things improve in the shade, although annoying reflections still occur.

Last but not least, let's take a look at the viewing angles. TN technology can never compete with superior IPS displays in that regard - which is also true for the CX61. Deviating from the ideal 90 degrees, especially in the vertical plane, results in rapid deterioration of the picture quality. The user should definitely try to stay as close to the centerline as possible.

Even though the successor to the Ivy Bridge design - named "Haswell" - is already lurking in the shadows, the Intel Core i5-3210M (introduced in June last year) is by no means a slouch. The middle-class CPU features two cores and a base frequency of 2.5 GHz, which Turbo Boost 2.0 can overclock to 3.1 GHz - temperature and load permitting. Like all processors in the i3, i5, and i7 lineup, Hyperthreading allows each core to handle two threads, which increases the performance as long as the application is designed to be multi-threaded. The CPU is manufactured using the 22 nanometer process and features a TDP of 35 Watts.

The Core i5-3210M processor is accompanied by a middle-class GeForce GT 635M GPU. The notebook uses Optimus technology to switch between the dedicated Nvidia graphics card and the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, which contributes to lower power consumption during idle.

The CX61 features a 500 GB hard drive and 4 GB of RAM. Since MSI only equips the notebook with a single DDR3 1333 module, memory bandwidth is comparatively low - although this should not significantly limit performance during everyday use.

As much as we would have liked a fast SSD: considering the price point of the notebook, we certainly can't fault the manufacturer for going with a regular hard drive. MSI uses a 2.5-inch model from Hitachi (HTS545050A7E380) with 500GB capacity, which houses both the OS and the programs.

The hard drive (member of the Travelstar Z5K500 series) spins at a rather sedate 5400 RPM and features 8 MB cache. Because of the high data density (Hitachi uses a single platter), the sequential reads are actually quite good: HD Tune pegs the transfer speed at a pretty decent 87.5 MB/s, which places the hard drive in the upper third of our hard drive database (SSDs excluded). The access time of 20.2 milliseconds, on the other hand, is just OK.

We have already subjected both the GeForce GT 635M and the very similar GT 630M to performance tests using various games - see the results in our GPU database - so we will just take a brief look here.

For most current games, the performance and reserves of the GT 635M are just good enough to allow the use of the native display resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. An exception is Battlefield 3, which is very demanding and requires lower details to run smoothly. Games like FIFA or the not very resource-intensive Diablo III allow the use of additional features like antialiasing. Titles to be released in the next two or three years most likely will be more demanding - and a GeForce GT 640M or 650M would allow for at least some "future-proofing" (should the budget permit).

The fact that the fan is always running has a positive side effect: temperatures are very low during idle and are usually only 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) above ambient. As long as the exhaust vent is not blocked, the notebook can be used on one's lap without any problems.

Under load, it's advisable to not only avoid the exhaust vent, but also the area above the keyboard, which reaches temperatures in excess of 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The palm rest and the entire right side of the notebook stay comparatively cool.

Some competitor's notebooks have issues with throttling under maximum load - but not the CX61: while running Prime95 and FurMark, we saw temperatures of 86 degrees Celsius (186.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for the CPU and 91 degrees Celsius (195.8 degrees Fahrenheit) for the GPU - but both maintain their maximum (Turbo Boost) frequency. Everyday performance (including gaming) should therefore not be impacted even during the hot summer months.

One thing is for sure: at a price of about 600 Euros (~$800), the 15-inch MSI CX61 delivers solid application and gaming performance. Other manufacturers tend to charge more for similarly equipped notebooks. Should that be the most important factor, the CX61 is a good choice.

Other potential buyers should be aware of the compromises which will have to be made: the quality of the chassis and the input devices is certainly not impressive. Simple plastic and glossy surfaces dominate the visual appearance; occasional creaking sounds are part of the daily life with this machine. Those wanting to play games won't have too much of an issue with the above - but users wanting a notebook for office-type tasks might. The fairly high omnipresent noise level and the glossy display, which is prone to reflections even when inside, also detract from a positive experience. Mobility is also not a strong point, as the small battery hampers battery life: 3 hours is the maximum that can be expected.

It's up to the user to weigh the pros and cons: those willing to accept the shortcomings get a gaming-capable notebook for a fair price. We would still recommend taking a look at the competition (HP, Sony, and Lenovo)